Japan inner defense zone mod#
Japan inner defense zone full#

The MOD will attempt to secure and develop a cyber workforce by dispatching SDF personnel to U.S. The Japanese Defense Ministry will utilize cutting-edge technology in the field of cybersecurity by procuring a “Cyber Information Gathering System” with 3.4 billion yen, designing an “AI-enabled system to respond against cyberattack” with 30 million yen, and researching the security of network devices in the so-called 5G era with 20 million yen. This year, the MOD will increase the number of staff in the “Cyber Defense Group” from 220 to 290, and establish a “Cyber Protection Unit” (tentative name) inside the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF). Japan’s vulnerability to cyberattacks and the lack of systematic cybersecurity policy are often referred to as the “ Achilles heel” in Japan’s defense program. Second, the MOD plans to use 25.6 billion yen for beefing up defense capabilities in the cyber domain.

Japan inner defense zone full#

Significantly, given Tokyo’s plans, Japan and the United States could be the first alliance to conduct military cooperation in outer space.Įnjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. The MOD moreover devotes 22.3 billion yen to secure the stable use of outer space 4.3 billion yen to strengthen information-gathering capability by using outer space, 13.7 billion yen to utilize satellite communications, 10.0 billion yen to utilize data from imagery satellites, and 130 million yen to take other appropriate measures related to space policy, such as dispatching personnel for training in the space operations course provided in the U.S. Also, the “Space Domain Planning Section” (another tentative name) will be established inside the Joint Staff. Notably, the MOD has sought to establish a tentatively-named “Space Operations Squadron” with some 20 personnel in the Air Self-Defense Forces (ASDF) in order to secure Japan’s superiority in utilizing outer space. This figure excludes the budget of 52.3 billion yen for missile defense system allocated for outer space. Get the Newsletterįirst, the MOD plans to spend 50.6 billion yen for a “space-related budget” in FY2020. Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.

The three new defense priorities are as follows.

Furthermore, the SDF will enhance its conventional defense capabilities in the maritime and air domains, stand-off defense capability, comprehensive air and missile defense capability, as well as maneuver and deployment capability so that the SDF can smoothly conduct cross-domain operations. In order to conduct “cross-domain operations,” the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) plan to acquire and improve its defense capabilities in new fields, such as space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum, by cultivating experts and making the best of new research in science and technology. Amid the competing narratives, it important to figure out the main purpose and defense priorities of Japan’s annual defense programs and budget for FY2020.Īccording to the Abe government, the main purpose is to build up an effective defense capability, the “Multi-Domain Defense Force” ( tajigen tōgō bōeiryoku), on the basis of the “Medium Term Defense Program” (MTDP) (FY2019-FY2023) approved by the Cabinet decision of December 18, 2018. Whereas opposition parties criticize the increase of defense spending, the Trump administration in the United States might find it insufficient in terms of defense cooperation and burden sharing under the bilateral military alliance. Some observers might consider it to be part of Japan’s “security renaissance” as Professor Andrew Oros described, or the emergency of the “Abe Doctrine” for Japan’s security strategy. The increase in its defense expenditure represents Japan’s military normalization. The figure does not include the Special Actions Committee on Okinawa (SACO) related expenditure with that added in, Japan’s defense-related budget for FY2020 would amount to 5.31 trillion yen. Japan’s defense budget spending plan for fiscal year (FY) 2020 reached a record high of 5.07 trillion yen ($47 billion), up from 4.65 trillion in FY2012. Ever since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came back to power in 2012, Japan’s annual defense expenditure has been on the increase.